Top Republicans Say Trump’s $1.8 Billion Fund Is ‘Off The Table’—As Confusion Swirls
Key takeaways
- Republican lawmakers had suggested the DOJ’s statement on Monday was not enough to alleviate their concerns about the $1.8 billion fund, with Sen.
- Blanche is expected to offer more clarity on where the fund stands at a hearing Tuesday afternoon before the House Appropriations Committee.
- “I think the president’s been pretty clear via the Department of Justice — their statement [is] that it’s now being set aside,” Johnson told Politico on Tuesday about the $1.8 billion fund’s fate.
Topline Republican leaders in Congress suggested Tuesday the Trump administration is fully pausing its $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund” in light of it threatening the GOP’s immigration enforcement bill, after the Justice Department sparked widespread confusion Monday about the fund’s fate.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to reporters at the Capitol in Washington, on April 14.Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Key Facts The “anti-weaponization” fund has threatened to derail the GOP’s bill that directs billions to Trump’s immigration priorities, as many Republicans are critical of the fund and were expected to join with Democrats to pass amendments that would restrict or kill it.
Reports emerged Monday suggesting the Justice Department was going to pause the fund indefinitely in order to quell Republicans’ concerns and save the immigration enforcement bill, but the agency only said it was complying with a recent court order that blocks the fund more temporarily—leaving it unclear whether the fund was actually being killed.